Chapter 1

The neon lights of the nightclub pulsed around us as Laila's bachelorette party reached its peak. I watched my best friend since childhood—my maid of honor—dancing with a group of our friends, her laughter echoing over the music. Tomorrow, I would become Mrs. Daniel King, marrying the man I'd loved for five years.

"You need to hydrate, Eden," Sarah Chen, my colleague from Seattle, handed me a glass of water. "Big day tomorrow."

I smiled gratefully, taking the glass. "I can't believe it's finally here."

"Daniel's going to be the luckiest man alive," she said, squeezing my arm.

If only she knew how my stomach fluttered at just the mention of his name. Daniel—tall, handsome, successful Daniel who had swept me off my feet during our first date at that little Italian restaurant downtown.

Laila stumbled toward us, her face flushed from dancing. "I need to use the restroom," she announced, fumbling with her purse. "Eden, can you hold my phone? I don't want to take it in there."

"Sure," I said, taking the device. The screen lit up with a notification—a text message.

I wasn't trying to pry, honestly. But Daniel's name flashed across the screen, and something made me look closer.

*Can't wait until tonight. Three beautiful years together, and soon no one will know how much I love you.*

My fingers trembled as I scrolled up, reading more messages.

*I wish we could tell her now.*

*Soon, baby. Just a few more days.*

*Eden's so trusting. She has no idea.*

The room spun around me. Three years? We'd been engaged for two years, dating for five. Which meant...

"Is everything okay?" Sarah asked, noticing my pale face.

"I need some air," I managed to say, sliding off the barstool.

I stumbled outside, clutching Laila's phone like evidence of a crime. The cool night air hit my face, but it did nothing to calm the fire spreading through my chest.

I needed to see for myself.

---

The rooftop terrace of Daniel's apartment building was usually deserted at this hour. I'd been here countless times—we'd even shared our first kiss here under the stars.

But tonight, I wasn't supposed to be here.

I heard them before I saw them—soft murmurs and a woman's laugh. My heart pounding in my ears, I crept toward the corner where the sound came from.

There they were.

Daniel had Laila pressed against the railing, his hands tangled in her hair as he kissed her with a passion I'd never seen before. Not even with me.

"I love you," he whispered against her lips. "I've always loved you."

"I love you too," Laila responded, her voice breaking slightly. "I wish we didn't have to hide anymore."

"We won't have to soon," Daniel promised, tracing her jawline with his thumb.

I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood, forcing back a sob. Three years. They'd been together for three years while I planned our wedding, while I chose flowers and venues and menus, while I dreamed of our future.

"I should go," Laila said. "Eden will wonder where I am."

"Don't worry about her," Daniel said dismissively. "She never suspects anything."

Never suspects anything. The words echoed in my mind as I backed away from the scene, careful not to make a sound.

---

"To the happy couple!" Marcus King, Daniel's father, raised his glass at the pre-wedding family dinner.

The restaurant was elegant—crystal chandeliers, white tablecloths, the soft murmur of the city's elite. But all I could think about were those text messages and that rooftop embrace.

"Thank you," I said automatically, forcing a smile.

Mrs. King's eyes flickered between Daniel and Laila, who sat across from each other at our table. "We're so pleased to welcome you to the family, Eden," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

"But we know what's best for Daniel," she continued, her gaze lingering on Laila. "We've always known where his heart truly lies."

Something in her tone made my blood run cold.

"Mom," Daniel warned, but there was no real reprimand in his voice.

Mrs. King smiled, reaching across to pat Laila's hand. "Some connections are just... natural. Don't you think, dear?"

Laila looked uncomfortable, glancing between Mrs. King and me. "I... yes, I suppose."

"Daniel has always had excellent taste," Mrs. King continued, her eyes never leaving Laila's face. "In everything."

The implication hung in the air like a poisonous cloud. I looked around the table—at Daniel's averted gaze, at Laila's guilty expression, at Mrs. King's satisfied smile.

How long had they known? How long had they all been playing me for a fool?

My engagement ring suddenly felt heavy on my finger, like a shackle rather than a promise.